The DeLorean name has been frozen in time since 1982. The stainless steel DMC-12, with its gullwing doors and backstory involving the Back to the Future films, became an icon despite the company’s brief existence. For more than four decades, the brand existed only in the memories of enthusiasts and the collectible market.
The Alpha5 changes that. It is the first new DeLorean in over 40 years, an all-electric four-seat grand tourer designed to honor the legacy of the DMC-12 while looking firmly toward the future. Developed by a revived DeLorean Motor Company based in Texas, the Alpha5 represents an attempt to transform a cult brand into a modern performance EV manufacturer.
This article provides a comprehensive examination of the DeLorean Alpha5, including its design heritage, performance specifications, interior technology, production plans, and the broader strategy for the brand’s electric future.
The Revival: From Bankruptcy to Rebirth
The original DeLorean Motor Company filed for bankruptcy in 1982, having produced approximately 9,000 DMC-12s. The car’s iconic status was cemented by the Back to the Future films, which used the DMC-12 as a time machine, but the company itself was gone.
The modern DeLorean Motor Company is a different entity. Founded in 1995 by Stephen Wynne, a British entrepreneur based in Texas, the company acquired the rights to the DeLorean name, the remaining parts inventory, and the trademark. For years, the company focused on restoring and servicing existing DMC-12s. In the late 2010s, Wynne began developing plans for a new vehicle.
The Alpha5 is the result of that effort. The car was designed by Italdesign, the same Italian design house founded by Giorgetto Giugiaro that penned the original DMC-12. Production will take place in Italy, with the powertrain sourced from a UK partner. The Alpha5 is scheduled for a limited production run, with deliveries expected to begin in 2024.
Design: Honoring the Past, Looking to the Future
Italdesign Collaboration
The choice of Italdesign for the Alpha5’s design is significant. Giorgetto Giugiaro’s original DMC-12 was a wedge-shaped masterpiece, with sharp angles, a low profile, and the iconic gullwing doors. The Alpha5, designed by Italdesign’s current team, takes a different approach while maintaining key references to its predecessor.
The Alpha5 is more curvaceous than the DMC-12. The wedge shape is replaced by flowing lines, a long hood, wide rear haunches, and a roofline that tapers toward the rear. The car measures 4,995 mm in length, 2,044 mm in width, and just 1,370 mm in height. These dimensions make it slightly longer, wider, and lower than a Porsche Taycan.
Gullwing Doors
The most recognizable feature of the DMC-12 was its gullwing doors, which opened upward rather than outward. The Alpha5 retains this feature, with massive doors that dominate the side profile. The doors are illuminated with LED panels on the front and rear edges, making them more visible when open.
The doors are designed to provide easier access to the cabin than the original DMC-12, which required an awkward climb over the wide sills. The Alpha5’s larger size and redesigned sills make entry and exit more practical for four occupants.
Aerodynamics
The Alpha5’s body is shaped for aerodynamic efficiency. The car has a drag coefficient of 0.23 Cd, a figure that is competitive with the most efficient electric vehicles on the market. Details such as the closed front grille, turbine-style wheels, and large rear diffuser all contribute to airflow management.
The rear of the car features a full-width light bar with three horizontal lines, a loose representation of the DMC-12’s taillight design. The rear window retains the louvered cover that was a signature of the original car, though the Alpha5’s louvers are more integrated into the bodywork.
Materials
Unlike the original DMC-12, which used unpainted stainless steel panels, the Alpha5 uses painted carbon fiber and aluminum. The decision to abandon stainless steel was driven by weight, cost, and manufacturing complexity. The Alpha5’s body is finished in a range of colors, with no option for the raw metal look of the original.
Powertrain and Performance
Electric Platform
The Alpha5 is built on a dedicated electric vehicle platform, with a battery pack exceeding 100 kWh. The exact capacity is reported as 100 kWh or 110 kWh depending on the source, with a target range of at least 300 miles (483 kilometers) on the EPA cycle.
The powertrain uses a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration. Total system output has not been officially announced, but the car is positioned as a performance-oriented grand tourer rather than an extreme hypercar.
Acceleration and Speed
The Alpha5 accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.99 seconds. The 0 to 100 kilometers per hour sprint takes approximately 2.9 seconds. The top speed is 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour).
For fans of the Back to the Future films, there is an Easter egg in the performance figures. The Alpha5 accelerates from 0 to 88 miles per hour in 4.35 seconds, a direct reference to the speed required to activate the DeLorean’s time circuits in the movies.
Charging
Specific charging capabilities have not been detailed, but the 800-volt architecture expected for a vehicle in this class would allow for rapid DC fast charging. A 10 to 80 percent charge would likely take approximately 20 to 30 minutes under ideal conditions.
Interior and Technology
Seating Configuration
The Alpha5 is a four-seat vehicle, with two individual rear seats behind the front occupants. The rear seats are accessed through the gullwing doors, which are large enough to make entry and exit practical.
The interior layout is described as rational and uncluttered. The dashboard features a horizontal digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and a vertical touchscreen infotainment system mounted on the center console.
Digital Interface
The instrument cluster is fully digital, with configurable displays that can show speed, range, navigation, and performance data. The infotainment screen handles media, navigation, vehicle settings, and climate controls. Physical controls for climate functions appear to be retained, located behind the touchscreen alongside a wireless charging pad and cup holders.
Emotional Connectivity Features
One of the Alpha5’s most distinctive features is its emotional connectivity system. When purchasing the car, buyers receive a wristband that can be given to a loved one. The wristband detects the wearer’s body temperature and heartbeat, transmitting this data to the car’s systems.
The driver can feel this connection through the seat. When the loved one sends a “virtual hug,” the sides of the seat cushion tighten around the driver. A vent behind the driver’s neck can blow air that is described as feeling like a kiss. These features are designed to create a sense of connection between the driver and people who are not physically present in the car.
Nostalgia Features
The Alpha5 includes several nods to its heritage. The digital display can be configured to show either modern dials or 80s-style dials reminiscent of the original DMC-12. A USB port is disguised as an original air conditioning gauge, a small Easter egg for attentive owners.
Production and Exclusivity
Limited Production Run
The Alpha5 will be offered initially in a Launch Edition limited to 88 units. This number references the 88 miles per hour speed from the Back to the Future films, a playful nod to the car’s pop culture legacy.
Following the Launch Edition, additional units will be produced, but the total production run is expected to remain limited. The DMC-12’s original production run of approximately 9,000 units was a commercial failure; the Alpha5 is designed for exclusivity rather than volume.
Manufacturing Location
While the DeLorean Motor Company is headquartered in Texas, the Alpha5 will be produced in Italy. The body and chassis will be manufactured by Italdesign, with the electric powertrain sourced from a UK partner. This international approach reflects the reality of low-volume automotive production.
Pricing
The Alpha5 is expected to carry a starting price of approximately $175,000. This positions it above the Porsche Taycan Turbo and below the Tesla Roadster (when it enters production). The price reflects the limited production numbers, the design heritage, and the bespoke manufacturing process.
The Future: Beyond the Alpha5
Multiple Models Planned
The Alpha5 is not the only vehicle in DeLorean’s revival plan. The company has announced intentions to produce a V8-powered sports coupe, an electric sedan, and a hydrogen-powered SUV. This multi-model strategy suggests that the Alpha5 is intended as a halo car for a broader lineup.
The V8-powered coupe would represent a return to internal combustion performance, while the hydrogen SUV would explore alternative zero-emission technology. This diversification is ambitious for a company that has not produced a new vehicle in 40 years.
Brand Strategy
The modern DeLorean Motor Company is positioning itself as a boutique manufacturer of high-end electric vehicles. The brand’s primary asset is its name recognition, which remains strong due to the Back to the Future films. The challenge is to convert that recognition into sales of a vehicle that is significantly different from the one in the movies.
How the Alpha5 Stacks Up Against Rivals
Against the Porsche Taycan Turbo
The Porsche Taycan Turbo is a four-door electric sedan with 670 horsepower, a 0 to 60 time of 3.0 seconds, and a top speed of 161 miles per hour. The Taycan is a proven product with strong sales and positive reviews.
The Taycan’s advantage is its performance and its engineering. Porsche’s chassis tuning is exceptional, and the Taycan’s handling sets the standard for electric sedans.
The Alpha5’s advantage is its design heritage and its exclusivity. The gullwing doors and the DeLorean name carry a cultural weight that Porsche cannot match. The Alpha5’s limited production run of 88 Launch Edition units also makes it significantly rarer.
Against the Tesla Roadster
The Tesla Roadster is an upcoming electric sports car with claimed performance figures of 0 to 60 in 1.9 seconds, a top speed exceeding 250 miles per hour, and a range of 620 miles.
The Roadster’s advantage is its performance. The claimed figures, if achieved, would put the Roadster in a different performance class than the Alpha5. The Roadster’s starting price of approximately $200,000 is also competitive.
The Alpha5’s advantage is its four-seat practicality and its design. The Alpha5 can carry four passengers, while the Roadster is a two-seater. The Alpha5’s gullwing doors and DeLorean heritage also provide a distinctive visual identity.
Against the Lucid Air Grand Touring
The Lucid Air Grand Touring is a four-door electric sedan with 819 horsepower, 0 to 60 in 3.0 seconds, and a range of 516 miles.
The Air’s advantage is its range and its interior space. Lucid’s efficiency is best-in-class, and the Air’s interior is more spacious than many competitors.
The Alpha5’s advantage is its coupe styling and its emotional appeal. The Alpha5 is a two-door grand tourer with a more dramatic presence than the sedan-shaped Lucid. The DeLorean name also carries a nostalgia factor that Lucid cannot match.
Specifications Summary
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 4,995 mm |
| Width | 2,044 mm |
| Height | 1,370 mm |
| Seating | 4 seats |
| Doors | Gullwing |
| Drag Coefficient | 0.23 Cd |
| Battery Capacity | 100+ kWh |
| Range | 300+ miles (EPA) |
| 0-60 mph | 2.99 seconds |
| 0-88 mph | 4.35 seconds |
| Top Speed | 155 mph |
| Production (Launch Edition) | 88 units |
| Base Price | $175,000 |
Conclusion
The DeLorean Alpha5 represents a bold attempt to revive a dormant brand. It is a car that honors the legacy of the DMC-12 through its gullwing doors, its louvered rear window, and its design lineage through Italdesign. But it is not a replica; it is a modern electric grand tourer with a 100+ kWh battery, 300 miles of range, and 0 to 60 in under three seconds.
The Alpha5 is not the most powerful electric car in its class, nor the fastest, nor the most practical. But it offers something that competitors cannot match: the DeLorean name, the gullwing doors, and the cultural resonance of a brand that has been frozen in time for four decades.
For the 88 buyers who will acquire the Launch Edition, the Alpha5 offers a connection to automotive history. It is a car that carries the weight of Back to the Future nostalgia while pointing toward an electric future. It is a gamble for a company that has not produced a new vehicle since 1982.
The Alpha5’s success will depend on whether the DeLorean name can attract buyers in a market crowded with established electric performance brands. The car’s limited production run ensures exclusivity, but it also limits revenue. The planned V8 coupe, electric sedan, and hydrogen SUV will determine whether the revived DeLorean Motor Company can sustain itself beyond the Alpha5.
For now, the Alpha5 stands as a proof of concept: a modern electric car with the soul of a cult classic. It is not the time machine from the movies, but it is a machine designed to transport its occupants into the future of automotive technology. And that, perhaps, is the most fitting tribute to the DeLorean legacy.
